Roderick Alexander MacDonald
Born In: Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: September 8th, 1928
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: September 17th, 2011
It is with sadness that the family of Roderick Alexander MacDonald announce his passing on Sept. 17, 2011 in Sydney, N.S. Roderick (Roddie) resided at the Harbourstone Enhanced Care, and was formerly of Kings Road in Sydney.
Roddie, son of John and Margaret (Gillis) MacDonald, was born in Sydney Mines, Sept. 8, 1928, where he spent his childhood. In 1953, he was married to Madonna Cantwell. Together they had five children and later settled in Sydney, where they remained and raised their family.
In his younger years, Roddie held various occupations, including working at the Sydney Mines Coop store, from which even recently he could still remember the membership numbers of many of his customers. Most of his career was spent working at the coke ovens of the Sydney Steel Plant, from which he retired in 1989.
Roddie was well known for being an active and athletic person. Even through his later years, he spent many hours and days walking, skating and swimming. He also enjoyed spending time with friends and could often be found doing so at the Sydney Shopping Centre or on the Boardwalk. Of all the things he was passionate about, perhaps the greatest of all was his pride in his grandchildren. He treasured every accomplishment, every story, and every interaction. He was also a great promoter of their involvement in education, and in sports and physical activity for the sake of their health.
Roddie was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Sadie Macpherson, Etta Blackie and Mary Leblanc, and by brothers, Michael MacDonald and Hughie MacDonald.
He is survived by his wife, Madonna (Cantwell) MacDonald, who resides at Harbourstone Enhanced Care in Sydney, N.S.; son John (Helen) of Lower Sackville, N.S., and their children Christopher and Kyle; daughter Marguerite of Sydney, N.S.; daughter Sandra (Serge) Guenette of Dartmouth, N.S., and their children Brandon and Andrew; daughter Alma (Todd) Leader of Timberlea, N.S., and their children Ali and Brian; daughter Pauline (Andrew) McLean of Ajax, Ont., and their children Abbie and Liam; and ‘honorary’ daughter Gloria MacMillan of Sydney.
A heartfelt thank you is extended to the staff of Soldiers’ Cove and Wentworth Court in Harbourstone Extended Care, especially Joyce, ‘the Queen’, and Amanda.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at 2 p.m. in Saint Anthony Daniel Church with Rev. Donald MacGillivray officiating. A private family internment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.
